On Science + 

Two schoolboys, one a pupil of the real gymnasium and the other of the classical gymnasium + 

Two twins, brothers of the latter; Volodia and Petrusha, eight years of age + 

Science Scholar + 

What do I want with Latin and Greek, when everything of any value has been translated into the modern languages? + 

Classical Scholar + 

You will never understand the Iliad unless you read it in Greek. + 

Science Scholar + 

But I don’t see the use of reading it. I don’t want to. + 

Volodia + 

What is the Iliad? + 

Science Scholar + 

A story. + 

Classical Scholar + 

Yes, a story, but one that has not its equal in the world. + 

Petrusha + 

What is it that makes the story so particularly good? + 

Science Scholar + 

Nothing. It is just a story, and nothing else. + 

Classical Scholar + 

Yes; but you cannot really understand antiquity without a knowledge of this story. + 

Science Scholar + 

I consider that a superstition just like religious instruction. + 

Classical Scholar + 

Getting excited. Religious instruction is nothing but lies and nonsense, while this is history and wisdom. + 

Volodia + 

Is religious instruction all nonsense? + 

Classical Scholar + 

Why do you sit there listening to our talk? You can’t understand. + 

Both Boys + 

Hurt. Why shouldn’t we? + 

Volodia + 

Perhaps we understand things better than you do. + 

Classical Scholar + 

Very well. Just be quiet, and don’t interrupt. To the Science Scholar. You say Latin and Greek is of no use in life: but that applies as well to bacteriology, to chemistry, to physics, and astronomy. Why is it necessary to know anything about the distance of the stars, about their size, and all those unnecessary details? + 

Science Scholar + 

Unnecessary? On the contrary, they are very necessary indeed. + 

Classical Scholar + 

What for? + 

Science Scholar + 

Why, for everything. Take navigation. You would think that had not much to do with astronomy. But look at the practical results of science⁠—the way it is applied to agriculture, to medicine, to the industries⁠— + 

Classical Scholar + 

On the other hand, it is used also in making bombs, for purposes of war, and for revolutionary objects as well. If science contributed to the moral improvement, then⁠— + 

Science Scholar + 

But what about your sort of knowledge? Does that raise the moral standard? + 

Volodia + 

Is there any science that makes people better? + 

Classical Scholar + 

I told you not to interfere in the discussions of grown-up people. You say nothing but silly things. + 

Volodia and Petrusha + 

With one voice. Not so silly as you imagine.⁠ ⁠… Just tell us which science teaches people how to be good. + 

Science Scholar + 

There isn’t such a science. Everybody has to find that out for himself. + 

Classical Scholar + 

What is the use of talking to them? They don’t understand. + 

Science Scholar + 

Why not? They might. How to be good, Volodia and Petrusha, is not taught in schools. + 

Volodia + 

Well, if that is not taught, it is no use going to school. + 

Petrusha + 

When we are grown up we will not learn useless things. + 

Volodia + 

As for the right way to live, we’ll do that better than you. + 

Classical Scholar + 

Laughing. Oh, the wisdom of that conclusion! + 